The sea anemone is a member of the Cnidaria phylum, which also includes jellyfish, sea feathers, sea whips, sea fans and reef-building coral.
The invertebrates are usually found hanging onto the seafloor, underwater rocks or on coral reefs at all depths off Florida's Gulf Coast. They do change locations, but slowly.
The sea anemone's carnivorous diet includes plankton, worms, mussels and small fish. A type of algae known as zooxanthellae provides it with reduced carbon. Several species of small fish swim among the tentacles for protection, but can easily become the anemone's dinner, if stung.
Their tentacles fire nematocysts that are used to capture passing prey and keep potential predators at bay. Nevertheless, sharks, rays and skates like to feed on them.
